Former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has said music is a great tool to boost morale and inculcate values in society.
He said this during his lecture at Micho Ade’s 50th on-stage celebration, which took place on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Amb. Farounbi said, “Music is a moral booster because when people lose their values, they are no longer people. Ambrose Campbell’s Omo laso, a timeless classic and moral booster, makes every child see themselves as a priceless gift from God to parents.”
Speaking on the topic, “Music as catalyst for sustainable social-cultural values”, he explained that before any social-cultural value can be sustainable, it must contribute immensely to the educational value.
He added that culture and value can be expressed through music.
Farounbi further expressed that music is a time capsule, as it can serve as the bitter truth in human behaviour to have a positive change of mind, stating that it is also an act of entertainment which sweetens the hearts of the people.
He also linked music with austerity, saying “a time of grave austerity when garri was the common food; Ebenezer Obey sang Garri ti won, used the song to encourage people to go into farming and advised the government on the Operation Feed the Nation policy.”
The former ambassador to the Philippines also referred to music as a tool of influence on people and fashion trends because people always follow the dress pattern of their favourite artists.
“The younger musicians have turned nakedness into a cultural trait for the younger generations because the music of nowadays has influenced the younger generation into indecent dressing and rough lifestyles ”.
“But in the early years when music was still preaching morality and social-cultural norms, it appeared great because people followed the dress pattern of their favourite artistes,” he added.
He further stated that music catalyses change as some artists used songs to speak on behalf of the people who are voiceless, using Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s “Suffering and Smiling” as a point of emphasis, noting that the song was as a result of the pains people were going through at the period.
The event, which was organised and packaged by Apreel 1 Events Management, was graced by prominent personalities across the country, among them the Ekefa Olubadan, Chief Olalekan Alabi, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Mr. Clement Ige, Mrs Kemi Wilson, Rev. Idowu Animashaun, popularly called Apola King, and other dignitaries.
Chief Alabi, who was the chairman of the occasion, praised Micho Ade for not relenting in his musical career, imploring him to continue his good work and keep moving with his old fans.
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre, who is the Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Tourism, in his words of admonition, said music is a weapon to tackle the mind in distress, urging musicians to play their role very well.
Ige, on his part, said music is important in human lives as it teaches us lessons so that we can acquire more wisdom while thanking God on behalf of Micho Ade for his great impact on society.
Both Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Wale Thompson lauded Micho Ade’s music, humility and creativity.
